We're here to answer all your questions about buying the iconic appliance.

It is a truth universally acknowledged that a home baker in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a KitchenAid stand mixer. With the esteem of the name, the heft of the machinery, and the variety of attachments, this notable appliance is a rite of passage. But it comes with a high price tag, so you need to do ample research. If you've always dreamed of owning one, but didn't know the best size or style to choose, we're here with a helpful buying guide.

When considering your purchase, keep in mind that it all really comes down to personal preference. All KitchenAid stand mixers utilize the same planetary mixing action: the beater moves one way while the drive shaft moves the other; the bowl stays stationary. It mainly comes down to choosing which style, color, and size is best for you.

What models and sizes are there to choose from?

The stand mixer is currently available in three different models: Artisan Mini, tilt head, and bowl lift. The primary difference between models is the space they take up and the capacity of the bowl. The tilt head style, where the head of the mixer tilts back from the neck of base and the bowl fastens to the bottom, comes in 3.4-, 4.5- and 5-quart options. The bowl lift style, where the bowl sits on the arms of the mixer and moves up and down with a lever, ranges in size from 4.5- to 8-quarts. The Artisan Mini has a tilt head style and comes in a 3.5 quart option.

What choices do you need to make?

Since each model comes with slight variations, you should think about what you'll be using your mixer for, which attachments you'll use the most, and how much space you have in your kitchen.

Bowls: Most mixers come with a stainless steel bowl, but you can also choose between glass and ceramic. Clear glass bowls with measurement markings on the side are available for tilt head and select bowl lift models, while frosted glass, hammered glass, and ceramic are only available for tilt head. If you plan on doing a lot of multi-tasking, consider buying an extra bowl.

Colors: Choosing your mixer color is perhaps the most fun part of the buying process—there are over 50 options. If you don't want to think too much about it, the classic 4.5-quart tilt head comes in white, black, or silver. If you want ample choices, the 5-quart Artisan tilt head style has the most variety of colors and finishes. The mini and the bowl lift models fall somewhere in-between.

Space and Size: Bowl lift mixers are around 16 to 17" in height; tilt head ones are around 14," and minis are 12.3." If you have low-hanging cabinets and plan to use your mixer on the counter, it's best to stay away from the bowl lifts. However, if you regularly double and triple your baking batches or want to start churning out multiple loaves of bread, the bowl lift is the way to go.

The attachments are a whole different game and can aid in slow-juicing or sifting, sausage-stuffing and ravioli-making. KitchenAid products have a universal power hub, so any attachments will fit all stand mixers. There is one exception: the ice cream maker and the precise heat mixing bowl will not fit on the Artisan Mini.

Like many KitchenAid mixers, this one comes with a coated flat beater, a coated dough hook, a 6-wire whisk, and a 4.5-quart stainless steel mixing bowl. The flat beater and dough hook are dishwasher-safe. With 10 speeds, this stand mixer is powerful enough for nearly any task or recipe, whether you’re combining flour, kneading bread dough, or whipping cream. There's also a Classic Plus model available, which is pretty much exactly the same but with 275 watts versus 250.

Similar to the Classic, with a few exceptions: it has a pouring shield that fits onto your mixing bowl to help prevent messes when adding ingredients; there are over 50 colors, like Boysenberry, Guava Glaze, and Matte Violet to choose from; and it has a larger capacity—you can make 9 dozen cookies or 4 loaves of bread in a single batch.

The bowl lift mixer utilizes most of the elements of the Artisan series, but takes it up a notch. The 6-quart bowl can mix dough for 13 dozen cookies, 8 loaves of bread, or 8 pounds of mashed potatoes in a single batch. Unlike the standard C-shaped dough hook, this model comes with a spiral-shaped one in burnished aluminum. It's available in more than 20 different colors.

A stand mixer that retains all the beauty and horsepower of a classic model, the Artisan Mini is the smallest and often most affordable of the bunch. The bowl is smaller (3.5 quarts), the machine is lighter (by 10 to 15 pounds), but almost all of the same features apply. You can still make up to 5 dozen cookies in a single batch.